Prescription Drug Abuse: Commonly Abused Meds

Know the types of drugs most often abused

The types of prescription medications most commonly abused by people of any age are

opioids, which are strong painkillers

depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders

stimulants, which are typically used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy (a sleep disorder), and, in some cases, to improve symptoms of depression.

Opioids
Doctors prescribe opioids mainly to relieve pain. Short-term, medical use of opioids is safe and rarely causes addiction. However, long-term use of opioids, or use in a way not prescribed, can lead to physical dependence or addiction.

Common opioid prescription medications include:

morphine (MS Contin®, Kadian®, Avinza®), which is used before and after surgical procedures to treat severe pain

codeine (Tylenol with Codeine®, Robitussin AC®), which is prescribed for mild pain

hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Zydone®), which is prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain

oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Tylox®, Roxicet®), which is used to relieve moderate to severe pain

fentanyl (Duragesic®), which is a strong pain medication typically delivered through a “pain patch” and prescribed for severe ongoing pain.

Depressants
Depressants are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Depressants slow normal brain function, and decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. They can cause confusion, drowsiness, fatigue, and impaired coordination. Long-term abuse can lead to addiction.

Here are commonly prescribed depressants:

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks. Examples are diazepam (Valium®), and alprazolam (Xanax®). Some benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), are prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders.

Non-benzodiazepine sleep medications are also used to treat sleep problems, but typically with fewer side effects and less risk of addiction than benzodiazepines. Examples are zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zalepon (Sonata). They differ in chemical structure from benzodiazepines, but act on some of the same brain receptors.

Stimulants
Stimulants are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy (a sleep disorder), and depression that has not responded to other treatments. These medications increase alertness, attention, and energy. They includemethylphenidate (Ritalin® and Concerta®) and amphetamines (Adderall®). Stimulants increase blood pressure and heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and produce a sense of euphoria in some people.